Roman Polanski Faces New Extradition Attempt to US Over Child Rape Case

French-Polish film director Roman Polanski is seen during a press conference at the Bonarowski Palace Hotel on October 30, 2015 in Krakow, Poland. (Adam Nurkiewicz/Getty Images)

Poland’s justice minister will appeal a court decision to not extradite film director Roman Polanski for a 1977 child sexual assault conviction. 

Polanski fled an indictment of sexual assault on 13-year old Samantha Gailey, and has resided in France since the ‘70s. 

Zbigniew Ziobro, justice minister, said his decision was based on Polanski being “accused of and wanted for…a rape of a child,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.

U.S. officials had initiated new extradition proceedings against Polanski in 2014 after it was announced that he would make a film in Poland.   

An opinion poll in Poland in 2009 found that fewer than 25 percent of respondents would like to see Polanski escape a trial. 

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Ziobro said that the Polanski case is “for many Poles regarded as a litmus test,” and that his prosecution would be a symbol of equal treatment for criminals regardless of their social status. 

Polanski has an apartment in Krakow, southern Poland.